Light dimming attachment



Jan. 9, 1962 P. w. SIMMS I LIGHT DIMMING ATTACHMENT Filed July 23, 1958 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 This invention relates to manually-operated light dimming means, which can be secured readily to household, table and floor lamps, and studio lamps.

In the home, dimming of incandescent light is effected chiefly by means of a two-way switch-dual filament lamp arrangement, or by using separate high and low voltage lamps. The light intensity range thus obtainable is limited to bright, intermediate, and dim illumination, with no gradual dimming of light levels. Additionally dual filament lamps are more costly than single filament lamps. The same is true of two-way switches as opposed to the on-oif variety.

In the case of studio lights, dimming is effected there by the use of voltage dropping resistors or by using several lamps and connecting them in series for dim, and in parallel for bright intensity. The disadvantages inherent in these techniques are the high heat losses, in the case of the first; and the low light output level in the case of the second. Here too fine adjustment of the light level is not possible.

Upon considering the above-related problems and disadvantages of the prior art, it has occurred to me to devise adjustable light dimming means, which can be secured intermediate a light source and the illuminated area.

The main object of the invention, therefore, is to provide such light-dimming means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily manipulatable light dimmer, which includes a rotary element as well as a colored element for providing light of a desired color and adjustable intensity.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, particularly when taken in connection with the annexed drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a lamp fitted with the dimmer of the invention. FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the dimmer of the invention showing details thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the dimmer of the invention is shown generally at 10, and is mounted on a suitable lamp reflector 12. Within the reflector is provided an incandescent light bulb 14 mounted in a socket 16 having an on and off switch 18.

The light dimmer comprises a metal or plastic detachable lamp fixture rim 20 of a diameter suflicient to slip over reflector 12. At a number of places, 22, 24, 26 and 28, rim 20 is punched inwardly to provide a spring action which will Secure the disk to the outer surface of reflector 12. Immediately below the flange 21 of rim 20 is a flat disk 30 having a plurality of openings, in this case, elongated sectors denoted by reference number 32. These openings or sectors preferably should comprise more than one-half the area of the disk, to give finer adjustment. The openings can be slots or slits, as well as sectors. Disk 30 is centrally perforated at 34, and freely rotates within the space provided by the flange of rim 20. One or more control knobs 36 are provided on the external surface of disk 30 to permit rotation thereof.

Below disk 30 is a fixed disk 38 of larger diameter than disk 30 and force fitted within the flange of rim 20 so that it cannot move. Disk 38 may be opaque, translucent or even colored, if desired. Disk 38 is provided with a plurality of complementary sectors 40 shown by dotted lines on FIG. 2.

In order to provide automatic stops, disk 30 can be provided with a plurality of protuberances 33 formed by forcing the material inwardly. These protuberances lie along the circumference and fall in similarly formed depressions 35 in disk 38. Because of their small sizes, the protuberances or bumps do not interfere with the rotation of disk 30.

Disks 30 and 38 are secured within rim 20 by forming a depression 42 along the flange of rim 20. Disks 30 and 38 are mounted forcontrollable relative rotation by means of rivet 44 passing through the center thereof.

Below disk 38 may be positioned, if desired, an additional colored disk 46, preferably of the same outside diameter as reflector 12, and having a central perforation 48 suflicient to-admit therein the end of rivet 44. It is contemplated that the lamp dimmer of the present invention will be marketed with a plurality of such disks, each of a diiferent color. It should then be appreciated that disk 46 may easily be removed and replaced by a similar disk of another color, simply by removing dimmer 10 from reflector 12, and slipping the dimmer back on the reflector. In this way light of any desired color can be obtained from an ordinary white light bulb.

In operation, it is possible to obtain light of the desired intensity at will merely by grasping one of the knobs 36 on disk 30, and rotating disk 30 in either direction to vary the alignment of its openings with the sectors of fixed disk 38. When the sectors coincide, full intensity is obtained; when these diverge, no light is transmitted, or if 38 is of translucent or transparent material, some light will pass through the dimmer well, and act as a night light.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a lamp reflector, a light dimming attachment adapted for use in conjunction with said lamp reflector, said attachment comprising a rim having an inside diameter of a dimension suflicient to fit loosely around the outside of said reflector, said rim further having a plurality of inwardly directed lugs displaced from the periphery at one edge thereof and adapted to make spring contact with said reflector, an inwardly directed flange at the other edge thereof, and an annular bead pressed into the inner periphery thereof between said one and said other edge; a fixed first disk having a plurality of radial apertures therein secured within said rim by said annular bead, an opaque second disk also having a plurality of radial apertures therein rotatably maintained within said rim between said first disk and said flange, said second disk having a plurality of protuberances pressed into a face thereof adapted to slidably lock with a corresponding plurality of depressions pressed into a face of said first disk for indexing the apertures of said second disk into predetermined relationships with the apertures of said first disk, and control knob means on said second disk for rotating said last-mentioned disk with respect to said first disk.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 also comprising a translucent third disk maintained in a fixed position between said reflector and said first disk.

3. A light intensity control construction comprising a cylindrical rim adapted for fitting loosely around a lamp reflector at the open end thereof, said rim having a plurality of lugs displaced from the material thereof on one edge of the periphery of said rim, said lugs being adapted to make spring contact with said reflector, an inwardly turned flange at the other edge of the periphery of said rim, and an annular bead formed into the inner periphery thereof between said one and said other edge; a fixed first disk having a plurality of equally spaced radial apertures therein and a plurality of protuberances formed into the face thereof, said first disk being secured within said rim by said annular bead, a second disk having a plurality of equally spaced radial apertures therein corresponding to said plurality of apertures in 3 said first disk and a plurality of depressions formed into the face thereof and adapted to slidably lock with said plurality of protuberances formed into the face of said first disk, said second disk being rotatably maintained within said rim between said first disk and said flange, and at least one control knob on said second disk for rotating said last-mentioned disk with respect to said first disk.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,553,581 Weiler Sept. 15, 1925 4 Douglas July 21, 1928 Conroy Jan. 21, 1936 Barnby Aug. 4, 1936 Centeno Jan. 9, 1940 Grimes July 13, 1943 Aldis' Nov. 28, 1944 Garstang Mar. 19, 1946 Nyden et a1 Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 5, 1955 

